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We are looking for a good "starter" piano and for various reasons are not going to buy an acoustic at this time. We were interested in the Roland HP2, it has all of the features that we want but it's a little more than we wanted to spend. From what we can tell, the Roland MP60 is essentially the same model with a less attractive case. The way it was described to us, and it seems right, is that the HP2 is more of a "home" model, whereas the MP60 is more of a "pro" model. The local store that Roland referred us to quoted a price of around $1,250, which was in the ballpark of what we were seeing on the web.

My question therefore is: is there another model, Roland or other brand, in the $1,200 price range, that any experienced folks on this forum would recommend? Any experience with the MP60?

Any digital piano isn't a good starter piano. I recently purchased the MP60 and quickly returned it. While it is on par with many digital pianos, I quickly found out that even the best digital piano doesn't have the feel or reaction of even a POS acoustic piano. My recommendation is to purchase a used a. piano of some sort.

My background: I have played piano for 15+ years. (Began at age 8 at a conservatory.) Please get a real piano - even a cheap one.

Do you need to have the fake wood case? If not, look at some of the stage pianos. They are easier to move and you get more for your money. The downside is that they have smaller, less powerful speakers which don't sound as good. But through headphones that disadvantage is removed. Also, for $100 or less you can buy external speakers which will sound better than those on most of the non-stage pianos.